Quick Clicks

NEACheck out www.nea.org for Association news; links to NEA publications, state affiliates, and member benefits; information on special events such as NEA’s Read Across America; and sites for and about members. Don’t forget to visit the Student Program discussion board to chat with your fellow members.

New Teacher Tips

Works4MeWhether you’re looking for strategies to keep your students on task or just get yourself organized, NEA’s Works4Me program has the answer. The online library includes 100s of tips, submitted by fellow educators, offering practical solutions to just about any classroom issue. Be sure to join the mailing list to receive new tips by email each week.

Teachers NetworkTeachers Network is a nationwide, nonprofit education organization that identifies and connects innovative teachers exemplifying professionalism and creativity within the public schools. The Web site includes lesson plans, online professional development courses, and information about grants and videos available to teachers. Don’t miss the “Daily Classroom Specials,” which feature project ideas, tips for working with parents, and special advice for new and substitute teachers.

Survival Guide for New TeachersThe U.S. Department of Education brings together the reflections of award-winning first-year teachers in this handy online guide for beginning educators. The guide focuses on teachers’ relationships with their colleagues, university professors, and students’ parents, all of which play crucial roles in their success on the job.

First YearsThis Web site, started and maintained by two veteran educators, offers classroom activities, sample letters to parents, tips for classroom management, subject-specific lesson plans, and free classroom posters and school clip art. Visitors can join an email listserv for student and beginning teachers as well.

Education WorldTips for interviews, lesson plans, technology integration, professional development, and educator issues are just some of the topics covered on the Education World Web site. You’ll also find information on communicating with parents, managing your finances, and even handling holidays in the classroom. Don’t miss the icebreaker suggestions and sample worksheets and handouts.

Teachers.netTeachers.net is all about peer support, and there are plenty of offerings for new teachers. Have a burning question you need answered? Go to the Beginning Teachers chatboard. Need inspiration on how to engage kids with a particular topic? Browse the database of more than 3,500 free lesson plans, collected since the Web site’s inception 11 years ago. You can connect with other new teachers in your subject area or grade level and get in on live chats.

Community Outreach

NEA’s Read Across AmericaCelebrate literacy all year-long with NEA’s Read Across America Web site. You’ll find tips and project ideas for the annual event, free posters and bookmarks to download and print, lists of popular books, and information and resources from NEA’s partners. Be sure to sign up for the monthly email newsletter to receive the latest updates on literacy issues and special discounts on members-only merchandise.

Learn and ServeLearn and Serve America provides grants to community- oriented school projects. The program helps nearly one million students, from kindergarten through college, meet community needs while they improve their academic skills and learn the habits of good citizenship. Recipients use the grants to create new programs or replicate existing ones and to train staff, faculty, and volunteers. For more information, call 202-606-5000.

National Institute for LiteracyHelp expand the social and economic opportunities for individuals with few or no literacy skills by teaching them how to read and write. This federal organization supports the development of high-quality literacy services and compiles data about literacy rates among various population groups in the United States.

Special Education

NEA’s IDEA Web siteStop by NEA’s site on special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for current research, updates on IDEA legislation, and resources for educators working with students with disabilities.

Council for Exceptional ChildrenThe Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of students with disabilities and the gifted. The organization advocates for sound government policies and offers opportunities for professional development to special education teachers.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative ServicesThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) supports special education programs for children, youth, and adults. OSERS also conducts research and publishes information on issues related to special education.

National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special EducationConnected to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), NCPS gathers, organizes, and disseminates information for recruiting, preparing, and retaining individuals interested in serving children with disabilities. The Web site includes information on financial aid available to aspiring special educators, research and statistics on students with special needs, and resources for job seekers.

National Dissemination Center for Children with DisabilitiesThe center provides a variety of resources on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. The Web site includes information on programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA; the No Child Left Behind law; effective practices for children with disabilities; materials for parents; and links to professional associations.

The National Association of Special Education Teachers(NASET) supports those preparing for or teaching in the field of special education. Members have access to comprehensive databases containing thousands of resources and materials; topics include exceptional students and disability information, special education and the law, and practical resources for special education teachers. The Special Educator e-Journal keeps members informed, and a career center offers current job openings, career advice, career fact sheets, and state licensure information.

Political Action

NEA's Legislative Action CenterKeep up with news from Capitol Hill at NEA’s Legislative Action Center. You’ll find updates on bills designed to improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as well as information about other legislation before Congress. You can track your state senator’s or representative’s voting record and even send an email message to your state and federal legislators. Don’t forget to sign up for the email action alerts!

Center on Education PolicyAs a national, independent advocate for public education and for more effective public schools, the Center helps Americans better understand the role of public education in a democracy and the need to improve the academic quality of public schools. The Center on Education Policy conducts research and informs the public about topics such as testing, vouchers, and school improvement.

National Association for the Education of Young ChildrenNAEYC is an organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through third grade. NAEYC works to improve professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education and to build public support for high-quality early childhood programs.

American Association of University WomenSince 1881, AAUW has focused on expanding women’s rights in academia and other areas. Many projects focus on increasing girls’ interest and achievement in math, science, and technology. AAUW staunchly defends civil rights, gender equity, and women’s health and reproductive choices.

American Civil Liberties Union The ACLU defends the civil rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Some of the ACLU’s focus areas include civil rights in schools, the separation of church and state, and the rights of minorities.

Close Up FoundationThe Close Up Foundation’s programs encourage teachers, students, and young adults to participate in the American democratic process through trips to Washington, D.C., and activities with local and state governments. Close Up uses a hands-on approach to educate people about how the government functions.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleFor 100 years the NAACP has worked for equity and democracy by opposing discriminatory and unjust policies. The primary focus of the NAACP remains the protection and enhancement of the civil rights of African Americans and other minorities. The NAACP works at the national, regional, and local level to secure civil rights through advocacy for supportive legislation.

Anti-Defamation LeagueThe Anti-Defamation League combats anti-Semitism, bigotry, and intolerance on various fronts. The organization helps the victims of hate crimes, works to protect individual civil rights, lobbies legislators, and educates people about the danger presented by hate groups. The Web site includes programs and resources to help teachers challenge prejudice and discrimination.

LabornetLabornet compiles online information about labor unions in the United States and abroad. The site highlights workers’ grievances and labor campaigns and offers news to keep workers informed about union activities. Visitors to the Web site will find links to labor news publications; labor, employment, and government statistics; and relevant legislation.

Human Rights Campaign The Human Rights Campaign defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered citizens. HRC effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support to candidates for federal office, and works to educate the public on a wide array of topics, including workplace, family, and discrimination issues, that affect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Americans.

Teaching ToleranceFounded in 1991 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Teaching Tolerance provides educators with free educational materials that promote respect for differences and appreciation of diversity in the classroom and beyond. The Web site offers information on classroom activities, tools, grants, and a link to Teaching Tolerance magazine. Visitors to the site also can register for a monthly e-newsletter.

National Dropout Prevention Center The NDPC provides information for researchers, educators, and policymakers about at-risk students. The NDPC also serves as a clearinghouse on issues related to dropout prevention and offers strategies designed to increase the graduation rate in America’s schools.

Grants

NEA Foundation The NEA Foundation awards grants to educators who propose innovative and promising ways to help all students experience academic success and reach their full potential, especially those who have been historically underserved by society’s institutions. NEA Student Program members can partner with eligible teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty who submit grant applications. Examples of grant-funded work include study groups, action research, lesson study, and innovative project-based learning that helps close the achievement gap. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $3,000.

The Foundation CenterThe Foundation Center collects and organizes the names of hundreds of people and organizations that provide funding for socially significant projects. Visitors to the Web site can search an online database for corporate and foundation funding or request a free CD-ROM full of sources. The Center also provides information and research about grant seeking and philanthropic efforts.

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE)More than 30 federal agencies joined together in 1997 to create the FREE Web site. The site includes information on hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources in a variety of subject areas, from the arts to vocational education, and adds new resources monthly.

The National Science FoundationWith an annual budget of about $5.5 billion, the NSF represents the primary funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. In many fields, such as mathematics, computer science, and the social sciences, the NSF is the major source of federal backing. The NSF also offers special funding programs specifically for undergraduate and graduate students.

Education News

NEA TodayStay up to date on education issues and Association news with NEA Today. The magazine is published six times a year and is available online at www.nea.org/neatoday.

Education WeekThis weekly publication includes local, state, and national education news and covers issues from preschool through grade 12. Education Week also publishes periodic special reports on topics ranging from technology to textbooks. The Web site also includes links to education stories from daily newspapers.

ERICThe Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a national information system designed to provide ready access to an extensive body of education-related literature. The searchable database contains more than one million documents about education issues.

Job Market

Teachingjobs.comThis Web site maintains information on thousands of available positions in schools in the United States and overseas. Job seekers can receive newsletters and updates by email about the most recent job openings.

Teachers-Teachers.comThis free service allows applicants to post their resumés and cover letters online, search for jobs by location, receive news about available teaching positions, view school Web sites, and send application materials electronically.

GreatTeacher.netThis Web site offers a free service that allows applicants to search for teaching openings by geographical location. Each ad includes a job description and contact information. Applicants also can post their resumés online at the site.

American Association for Employment in EducationAAEE provides information to college career centers, school districts, and teacher candidates about the education job market. On its Web site, preservice teachers will find helpful job hunt publications, links to online job databases, and information on teacher certification. Check out the annual supply and demand report for information about the need for teachers in your field.

Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe Bureau of Labor Statistics, a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor, collects and distributes data about the current job market. In the Bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook you’ll find detailed job descriptions, information on working conditions, training and education required, wage estimates, and future job prospects for a variety of occupations. You can search the handbook online for statistical information about education employment.

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